24 Hours for the Lord

24 hours for the Lord in Armagh Parish!

For the fourth year, Pope Francis has asked that parishes organise a special time for Prayer and Confessions during the Season of Lent. He has suggested that parishes organise 24 hours for theLord onFriday 24 and Saturday 25 March. The 24 hours for the Lord will take place in St Malachy’s Church, Armagh from 12noon until 12 midnight on the Friday and from 5am – 5pm on the Saturday. During the 24 hours, there will be special times of prayer and reflection. There will also be opportunities for Confessions during the 24 hours and people are encouraged to make a special effort in this season of Lent to celebrate the love and mercy of God.

Programme for the 24 hours for the Lord

Friday 24 March

12noon Midday Prayer

3pm Way of the Cross

7pm Evening Prayer and Benediction

7.30pm Mass

10pm Night Prayer

12midnight Rosary

Saturday 25 March

5am Rosary

7am Morning Prayer

12noon Midday Prayer

3pm Way of the Cross

4.30pm Evening Prayer & Benediction

5pm Exposition of Blessed Sacrament ends

From 12noon to 12 midnight on the Friday and from 5am to 5pm on the Saturday, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed in St Malachy’s Church. The Adoration Room in St Malachy’s Church will be closed during these 24 hours! Confessions will be heard from after Mass on the Friday evening in St Malachy’s Church until 10pm and on the Saturday in St Malachy’s Church from 11am – 3pm.

Lent has traditionally been known as a time for fasting, a time to tame one’s body so that we may concentrate on higher things. The three spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving go hand in hand and the Church invites us to practise all three at this special time of year. Pope Francis reminds us that our fasting must never become superficial and he reminds us that Lent is a good time for penance and self denial and our Lenten activities must enrich others. He also challenges us by saying that if we’re going to fast from anything, we must fast from indifference towards others. As part of our special 24 hours, we might challenge ourselves to fast from something for those hours as a special offering to the Lord!